Heart and Stroke Encyclopedia

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Medical researchers have found that some oral contraceptives, such as birth control pills, increase blood pressure in some women. It’s more likely to occur if you’re overweight, have had high blood pressure during pregnancy, have a family history of high blood pressure or have mild kidney disease. The combination of birth control pills and cigarette smoking may be especially dangerous for some women. Before you begin taking oral contraceptives, talk to your healthcare provider about the risks.